When you first arrive in Majula you will want to find the Bonfire and the Emerald Herald. Follow the path down to the center of Majula and you will see both on the right cliff edge. The Emerald Herald offers solace and help to the cursed. (For those of you so inclined, you would be wise not to kill this woman. It is tantamount to deleting your character). After speaking with her several times, she allows the player to exchange Souls for increased Levels and provides you with your crucial Estus Flask. For future reference, any Estus Flask Shards you find in Dark Souls II can be given to her to upgrade your Estus Flask. Speak to her for additional information about the world of Drangleic.

After lighting the Bonfire head into the main part of the town, past the giant hole to a well. Hit the rock into the well to reveal your first Estus Flask Shard. Explore the area but don't venture off just yet.

Covenants

Two Covenants are available in Majula. Sitting next to the large obelisk that dominates Majula is Saulden. He gives hints for beginners. He also lets you join the Covenant Way of Blue.

Just behind the village in Majula is the Victors Stone, a shrine to the Company of Champions. Joining this Covenant significantly increases the difficulty of Dark Souls 2, a fact not made crystal clear in the process of joining the cult. If you want to increase the challenge (and potential rewards) of Dark Souls 2, join this company.

Merchants

Slightly down from the obelisk is a small house with a man laying outside it. He is a Blacksmith named Lenigrast. Before you can use him to repair or improve equipment you need to find the key to his house. This can be brought from Merchant Hag Melentia for 1000 souls (you can find her near the second bonfire in The Forest of Fallen Giants).

Once unlocked, The Armourers Shop offers a limited selection of goods which will broaden as you gain experience. In another building next to the large hole you will also meet The Cat who sells a small number of very useful goods (including the wonderful Silver Cat Ring, and who also has the power to remove you from Covenant obligations. The final merchant is found sitting cross legged on the floor of another house. A chest upstairs contains a Human Effegy.

Exits

There are several exits from Majula. A long, narrow descending tunnel not far from the main buildings takes a character to Heides Tower of Flame. An exit up one end of the coast leads to Things Betwixt. To the right of that exit is an opening ringed by tree branches. Through it, the player will find a warrior who finds his way blocked by a realistic statue clinging to a switch in the next room. This route is impassible at the beginning of the game.

Another exit on the coastline, located beneath a tree with a waving shred of cloth atop its branches, carries travelers to the Forest of Fallen Giants.

Lastly, there is a pit in the middle of town in which the player can see items resting on wooden beams below. This leads to the Grave of Saints, but requires either special items (Silver Cat Ring, and sufficient health to survive the fall), or NPC help (by building a ladder into it) before the player can access it.

Stepping out For the First Time

The Far Fire in Majula also acts as a frequent hub for travelers thanks to its proximity to the smithy, armourers shop, and leveling up.

Players should probably begin their journey by grabbing a couple of free items, including the contents of a chest in the tunnel to Heides Tower of Flame and an Estus Shard in the small well near the village in Majula. Exploration in earnest should begin with a trip to the Forest of Fallen Giants.

After entering the tunnel entrance to the Forest, you can find a chest on your right that contains a Rusted Coin. Continue on and open a gate blocking your way with the lever beside it. After crossing a bridge, you will see a small island with a chest. Cross the footbridge, collect the treasure, and then look carefully at the grotto across from you. A well timed leap will carry you over the deep water, allowing you to collect more goodies. (You can also go UPSTREAM after exiting the tunnel...just watch out you're not attacked from behind... into the forest and turn right where you will see a body with an item on it. I found this easier than jumping over the deep water.) Then head left through the tunnel. Once you emerge, plunder the body on the right.

Item Guide

Scholar of the First Sin Changes

Most of Majula retains itself in Scholar of the First Sin from the original Dark Souls 2 release. All of the merchants, NPCs, and other key items located here are as they were. The only changes in this area for Scholar of the First Sin are minor changes to item locations.

The bottom of the mansion you enter in the back of the area has a chest with an Estus Flask Shard and Soul Vessel. In addition, a chest in a house near the third merchant of the area has a Titanite Shard instead of a Human Effigy.